Community specialist consultation

What the manual describes

What this service can help with

• Understanding the former Community Specialist service and why it may still appear in older plans, manuals, or records
• Identifying specialized support needs that were previously addressed through professional observation, assessment, program design, caregiver consultation, and direct instruction
• Preparing for person-centered planning about other services, natural supports, Medicaid state-plan benefits, insurance, or local funding that may address an unmet need

Source-backed working pathway

To establish you'll probably need:

These steps translate the cited manual section into a practical review sequence. Confirm the current local process before acting.

1. 1

   Describe the unmet need rather than requesting the discontinued service by name.

   With the support coordinator and planning team, identify the outcome, safety concern, skill, caregiver-support need, or specialized consultation that still needs to be addressed.

   Evidence: manual 2026 Provider Bulletin 2, Targeted Case Management Providers
2. 2

   Review what the former Community Specialist service was doing.

   If the person previously used Community Specialist, document the observation, assessment, program-design, consultation, advocacy, access, or direct-instruction functions that remain necessary.

   Evidence: manual 6.6 service description; 2026 Provider Bulletin 2
3. 3

   Explore other possible sources and services.

   Review natural supports, private health insurance, MO HealthNet state-plan services, Senate Bill 40 board resources, and other available programs before considering another waiver service.

   Evidence: manual 2026 Provider Bulletin 2, Targeted Case Management Providers
4. 4

   Use the usual review process for a new or increased service need.

   If person-centered planning identifies a new or increased service need, follow the Division's existing utilization-review and authorization procedures for the proposed alternative.

   Evidence: manual 2026 Provider Bulletin 2, Targeted Case Management Providers
5. 5

   Confirm the current alternative before relying on it.

   Verify the selected service or funding source, provider qualifications, authorization, effective date, and practical start plan. The former Community Specialist authorization cannot be used for dates of service on or after July 1, 2026.

   Evidence: manual 2026 Provider Bulletin 2, HCBS Service Providers

Important boundaries

Limits that may affect fit or authorization

• This historical service was described for all four Missouri DD waivers. Authorizations ended for dates of service on or after July 1, 2026; it is not listed as currently available here.
• The Division states that Community Specialist will be removed from its HCBS waivers upon approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
• Support coordinators are directed to identify ongoing unmet needs through person-centered planning and explore natural supports, private insurance, the Medicaid state plan, Senate Bill 40 boards, and other possible sources.
• The former service could not duplicate Applied Behavior Analysis, Personal Assistant, or other waiver services.
• The former service did not perform support-coordination functions such as level-of-care determination, provider choice, due process, appeal rights, service authorization, or monitoring.
• The former provider could not be a parent, stepparent, guardian, or other family member.
• The manual's former billing table lists fifteen-minute units and a 96-unit daily maximum; this historical limit does not restore current authorization.

Do not assume this part

Questions to confirm locally